Xinlu Liang’s Post

#Vietnam's pursuit of joining #CPTPP will certainly strengthen its position in the global economy in the future, but it will also lead to structural political reforms. This means the growing distance between Vietnam and #China will become an inevitable outcome. #VietnamReforms #PoliticalPower #EconomicReforms #TradeAgreements #MarketEconomy #EconomicGrowth #RegionalIntegration #VietnamDevelopment #VietnamChinaRelations #SoutheastAsia #IndustrialGrowth #GeopoliticalShifts https://lnkd.in/gEN4whcq

Xi Jinping’s Anti-Corruption Gamble: A Delicate Balance of Power and Reform China’s President Xi Jinping is signaling a new chapter in his decade-long anti-corruption campaign, hinting at leniency for “unintentional mistakes” by officials. But critics argue this policy shift exposes the contradictions at the heart of Xi’s authoritarian leadership: the pursuit of control and reform on opposing tracks. Since Xi’s rise to power, his anti-corruption drive has disciplined over 620,000 officials in 2024 alone—nearly double the previous year—according to official data. The rigid enforcement of regulations, embodied in Xi’s “Eight Rules,” has reportedly created a climate of fear among China’s bureaucracy. Analysts describe a "lying flat" culture, where officials are paralyzed by the risk of punishment, stifling bold initiatives and innovation. Xi’s apparent solution is a recalibrated approach. First introduced in 2016, the “Three Distinctions” policy aims to separate genuine errors from deliberate violations. Recent messaging suggests a renewed push for this softer stance, with Xi calling for officials to be treated with a mix of “strict control and care.” Yet skeptics see it as a ploy to consolidate power by selectively applying leniency, particularly toward his inner circle. Experts suggest this approach may offer short-term stability but risks deeper systemic paralysis. Beneath the rhetoric of reform lies an unwavering demand for political loyalty, with officials evaluated more on ideological alignment than competence. Critics argue that Xi’s centralization of power is suppressing the very dynamism China’s governance and economy need. As Beijing doubles down on control, the question remains: can Xi’s regime reconcile its demands for conformity with the need for genuine reform—or is this yet another attempt to tighten the reins on a faltering system? Link to original article here: https://lnkd.in/gEpXdYBG #china #corruption #bribery #xi #financialcrime #sanctions #fraud #theft #procurement #governance #risk #reform #power

With the UK’s China Audit now well underway, very pleased to see Royal United Services Institute highlight my Policy Brief, Six Principles for a More Dynamic and Effective UK-China Strategy, in their 2023-24 Annual Report. More to come in the New Year. https://lnkd.in/eECAbcmT UK National Committee on China Royal United Services Institute #china #economics #security #values

On 6 January 2025, Xi Jinping, who is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the Chinese President, and the Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), delivered an important speech at the fourth meeting of the 20th CPC Central Discipline Inspection Committee (CDIC). His presence and remarks were broadcast live and attended by the CDIC members and many members of the central agencies and military units, including the Xinjiang production brigade. CMC Chairman Xi Jinping said that the CPC in 2024 insisted on its “self-revolution that led the societal revolution,” increasing the consciousness of party members to abide by the party law and regulations, eliminating “the soil and conditions of corruption,” solving the “prominent problems” raised by a large batch of masses, and persisting in the “anti-corruption struggles” and the “capability of strict party discipline.” (See the website of the Ministry of Defense of the People’s Republic of China, “Xi Jinping in the 29th CDIC meeting made important remarks stressing the need for revolutionary spirit and strict criteria to govern the party and to engage in anti-corruption persistently and comprehensively,” January 6, 2025). All the members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo attended the meeting, including Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi. Xi Jinping instilled a sense of crisis consciousness into the psyche of the CPC members by saying that “corruption constitutes the greatest threat to our Party.” As such, anti-corruption is “the most comprehensive self-revolution.” He said: “We must clean any corrupt element and continuously purify the cadre team, protect the image of the Party, consolidate the red lakes and mountains, ensure that the Party does not change its nature and colours.” In this way, China will become strong, and the Chinese renaissance will continue to be an active historical initiative. https://lnkd.in/d8Jy6t3H

Trade disputes have become a significant issue in China-EU relations. #ANALYSIS | Commercial and Political Dimensions of China-EU Relations https://lnkd.in/d8nxykQy

In a bold move to combat forced labor, the Biden administration has expanded the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), adding 29 Chinese companies to its Entity List, now totaling over 100. This initiative targets sectors like agriculture and mining, aiming for ethical supply chains and pushing back against human rights violations linked to the Xinjiang region. The immediate impact on global trade is significant. Businesses reliant on these sectors must brace for potential disruptions and increased costs—a reality that could ripple through various supply chains and ultimately affect consumer prices. With both major parties united on this stance, companies must prioritize compliance and ethical sourcing to mitigate risks. As market dynamics shift, now is the time for businesses to diversify their strategies and invest in transparency. The future may be challenging, but it's also an opportunity to align with ethical practices and consumer expectations. Are you ready to adapt?

Last week, my fellow writers and I successfully published an article in Geopolitics Quarterly titled Malaysia's Regional Trade Agreements: The Law, Geopolitics, and Impact on the Multilateral Trading System. A huge thanks to Dr. Nabeel, Puan Rozlinda, Dr. Izzat and all involved, this wouldn’t have been possible without their continuous and unwavering guidance throughout the entire process. Below is the link: https://lnkd.in/dAYmdEis

Check out this terrific white paper on trends and #anticorruption efforts related to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The paper was written by my #CohnReznick colleagues, Joe Spinelli and Leo McGuinness. #FCPA #WhiteCollar #GovernmentInvestigations #DOJ Joe Spinelli always has an interesting story to share.

https://lnkd.in/g72tPVTc And for those that aren't leaving there's always "siloing"--slicing off #China operations to deal with local regulations, host country political imperatives, and #geopolitical and other impediments in the home country and globally. Not the ideal and the pressure is getting worse. #FDI #redtape #nationalsecurity #protectionism #economicnationalism #competition #supplychains #economicindependence #dataflows #datasoereignty #researchanddevelopment European Union Chamber of Commerce in China South China Morning Post SCMP Luna Sun